Rujub, the Juggler

by G. A. Henty

  CHAPTER XVIII.

  As soon as Bathurst began to remove the covering of the hole, a voicecame from below.

  "Is that you, Bathurst?"

  "All right, Doctor."

  "Heaven be praised! You are back sooner than I expected, by a long way.I heard voices talking, so I doubted whether it was you."

  "The ladder is still there, I suppose, Doctor?"

  "Yes; it is just as you got off it. What are you going to do about thehole?"

  "Rujub is here; he will cover it up after me."

  "Then you were right," the Doctor said, as Bathurst stepped down besidehim; "and you found the juggler really waiting for you?"

  "At the bungalow, Doctor, as I expected."

  "And what have you done? You can hardly have seen Por Sing; it is notmuch over an hour since you left."

  "I have seen him, Doctor; and what is more, he has pledged his word forour safety."

  "Thank God for that, lad; it is more than I expected. This will be newsindeed for the poor women. And do you think he will be strong enough tokeep his pledge?"

  "I think so; he asked me to wait until tomorrow afternoon before goingout with a flag of truce, and said that by that time he would get theother Zemindars to stand by him, and would make terms whether the Sepoysliked it or not."

  "Well, you shall tell us all about it afterwards, Bathurst; let us takethe news in to them at once; it is long since they had good tidingsof any kind; it would be cruel to keep them in suspense, even for fiveminutes."

  There was no noisy outburst of joy when the news was told. Three weeksbefore it would have been received with the liveliest satisfaction, butnow the bitterness of death was well nigh past; half the children layin their graves in the garden, scarce one of the ladies but had losthusband or child, and while women murmured "Thank God!" as they claspedtheir children to them, the tears ran down as they thought how differentit would have been had the news come sooner. The men, although equallyquiet, yet showed more outward satisfaction than the women. Warm graspsof the hands were exchanged by those who had fought side by sideduring these terrible days, and a load seemed lifted at once off theirshoulders.

  Bathurst stayed but a moment in the room after this news was told, butwent in with Dr. Wade to the Major, and reported to him in full theconversation that had taken place between himself and Por Sing.

  "I think you are right, Bathurst; if the Oude men hold together, theSepoys will scarcely risk a breach with them. Whether he will be able tosecure our safety afterwards is another thing."

  "I quite see that, Major; but it seems to me that we have no option butto accept his offer and hope for the best."

  "That is it," the Doctor agreed. "It is certain death if we don'tsurrender; there is a chance that he will be able to protect us if wedo. At any rate, we can be no worse off than we are here."

  Isobel had been in with Mrs. Doolan nursing the sick children whenBathurst arrived, but they presently came out. Isobel shook hands withhim without speaking.

  "We are all heavily indebted to you, Mr. Bathurst," Mrs. Doolan said."If we escape from this, it will be to you that we humanly owe ourlives."

  She spoke in a voice that all in the room could hear.

  "Your are right, Mrs. Doolan," the Doctor said; "and I think that thereare some who must regret now the manner in which they have behaved toBathurst since this siege began."

  "I do for one," Captain Doolan said, coming forward.

  "I have regretted it for some time, though I have not had the manlinessto say so. I am heartily sorry. I have done you a great and cruelinjustice. I ought to have known that the Doctor, who knew you vastlybetter than I did, was not likely to be mistaken. Putting that aside,I ought to have seen, and I did see, though I would not acknowledgeit even to myself, that no man has borne himself more calmly andsteadfastly through this siege than you have, and that by twiceventuring out among the enemy you gave proof that you possessed as muchcourage as any of us. I do hope that you will give me your hand."

  All the others who had held aloof from Bathurst came forward andexpressed their deep regret for what had occurred.

  Bathurst heard them in silence.

  "I do not feel that there is anything to forgive," he said quietly. "Iam glad to hear what you say, and I know you mean it, and I acceptthe hands you offer, but what you felt towards me has affected mebut little, for your contempt for me was as nothing to my contempt ofmyself. Nothing can alter the fact that here, where every man's hand waswanted to defend the ladies and children, my hand was paralyzed;that whatever I may be at other times, in the hour of battle Ifail hopelessly; nothing that I can do can wipe out, from my ownconsciousness, that disgrace."

  "You exaggerate it altogether, Bathurst," Wilson broke in hotly. "It isnonsense your talking like that, after the way you jumped down into themiddle of them with that mace of yours. It was splendid."

  "More than that, Mr. Bathurst," Mrs. Doolan said, "I think we women knowwhat true courage is; and there is not one of us but has, since thissiege began, been helped and strengthened by your calmness--not one buthas reason to be grateful for your kindness to our children during thisterrible time. I won't hear even you speak against yourself."

  "Then I will not do so, Mrs. Doolan," he said, with a grave smile. "Andnow I will go and sit with the Major for a time. Things are quietertonight than they have been for some time past, and I trust he will getsome sleep."

  So saying, he quietly left the room.

  "I don't believe he has slept two hours at a time since the siegebegan," Mrs. Doolan said, with tears in her eyes. "We have allsuffered--God only knows what we have suffered!--but I am sure that hehas suffered more than any of us. As for you men, you may well say youare sorry and ashamed of your treatment of him. Coward, indeed! Mr.Bathurst may be nervous, but I am sure he has as much courage as anyonehere. Come, Isobel, you were up all last night, and it's past twoo'clock now. We must try to get a little sleep before morning, and Ishould advise everyone else off duty to do the same."

  At daybreak firing commenced, and was kept up energetically all themorning. At two o'clock a white flag was hoisted from the terrace, andits appearance was greeted with shouts of triumph by the assailants. Thefiring at once ceased, and in a few minutes a native officer carrying awhite flag advanced towards the walls.

  "We wish to see the Zemindar Por Sing," Bathurst said, "to treat withhim upon the subject of our surrender."

  The officer withdrew, and returned in half an hour saying that he wouldconduct the officer in command to the presence of the chief of thebesieging force. Captain Doolan, therefore, accompanied by Bathurst andDr. Wade, went out. They were conducted to the great tent where allthe Zemindars and the principal officers of the Sepoys were assembled.Bathurst acted as spokesman.

  "Por Sing," he said, "and you Zemindars of Oude, Major Hannay beingdisabled, Captain Doolan, who is now in command of the garrison,has come to represent him and to offer to surrender to you under thecondition that the lives of all British and natives within the walls berespected, and that you pledge us your faith and honor that we shall bepermitted to go down the country without molestation. It is to you, PorSing, and you nobles of Oude, that we surrender, and not to those who,being sworn soldiers, have mutinied against their officers, and have inmany cases treacherously murdered them. With such men Major Hannay willhave no dealings, and it is to you that we surrender. Major Hannay bidsme say that if this offer is refused, we can for a long time prolong ourresistance. We are amply supplied with provisions and munitions of war,and many as are the numbers of our assailants who have fallen already,yet more will die before you obtain possession of the house. More thanthat, in no case will we be taken prisoners, for one and all have firmlyresolved to fire the magazine when resistance is no longer possible, andto bury ourselves and our assailants in the ruins."

  When Bathurst ceased, a hubbub of voices arose, the Sepoy officersprotesting that the surrender should be made to them. It was someminutes before anything like quietness was
restored, and then one of theofficers said, "Here is Rujub; he speaks in the name of Nana. What doeshe say to this?"

  Rujub, who was handsomely attired, stepped forward.

  "I have no orders from his highness on this subject," he said. "Hecertainly said that the prisoners were to be sent to him, but at presentthere are no prisoners, nor, if the siege continues, and the Englishcarry out their threat, will there be any prisoners. I cannot think thatNana Sahib would wish to see some hundreds more of his countrymenslain or blown up, only that he may have these few men and women in hispower."

  "We have come here to take them and kill them," one of the officers saiddefiantly; "and we will do so."

  Por Sing, who had been speaking with the Talookdars round him, rose fromhis seat.

  "It seems to me that it is for us to decide this matter," he said. "Itis upon us that the losses of this siege have fallen. At the order ofNana Sahib we collected our retainers, abandoned our homes, and have forthree weeks supported the dangers of this siege. We follow the Nana, butwe are not his vassals, nor do we even know what his wishes are inthis matter, but it seems to us that we have done enough and more thanenough. Numbers of our retainers and kinsmen have fallen, and to prolongthe siege would cause greater loss, and what should we gain by it? Thepossession of a heap of stones. Therefore, we are all of opinion thatthis offer of surrender should be accepted. We war for the freedom ofour country, and have no thirst for the blood of these English sahibs,still less for that of their wives and children."

  Some of the officers angrily protested, but Por Sing stood firm, andthe other chiefs were equally determined. Seeing this, the officersconsulted together, and the highest in rank then said to the Talookdars,"We protest against these conditions being given, but since you areresolved, we stand aside, and are ready to agree for ourselves and ourmen to what you may decide."

  "What pledges do you require?" Por Sing asked Bathurst.

  "We are content, Rajah, with your personal oath that the lives of allwithin the house shall be respected, and your undertaking that theyshall be allowed to go unharmed down the country. We have absolute faithin the honor of the nobles of Oude, and can desire no better guarantee."

  "I will give it," Por Sing said, "and all my friends will join me init. Tonight I will have boats collected on the river; I will furnish youwith an escort of my troops, and will myself accompany you and see yousafely on board. I will then not only give you a safe conduct, prayingall to let you pass unharmed, but my son with ten men shall accompanyyou in the boats to inform all that my honor is concerned in yoursafety, and that I have given my personal pledge that no molestationshall be offered to you. I will take my oath, and my friends will do thesame, and I doubt not that the commander of the Sepoy troops will joinme in it."

  Bathurst translated what had been said to Captain Doolan.

  "It is impossible for him to do more than that," he concluded; "I do notthink there is the least question as to his good faith."

  "He is a fine old heathen," Captain Doolan said; "tell him that weaccept his terms."

  Bathurst at once signified this, and the Rajah then took a solemn oathto fulfill the conditions of the agreement, the other Talookdarsdoing the same, and the commander of the Sepoys also doing so withouthesitation. Por Sing then promised that some carts should be collectedbefore morning, to carry the ladies, the sick and wounded, down to theriver, which was eight miles distant.

  "You can sleep in quiet tonight," he added; "I will place a guard of myown men round the house, and see that none trouble you in any way."

  A few other points were settled, and then the party returned to thehouse, to which they were followed a few minutes later by the son of PorSing and three lads, sons of other Zemindars. Bathurst went down to meetthem when their approach was noticed by the lookout on the roof.

  "We have come to place ourselves in your hands as hostages, sahib," PorSing's son said. "My father thought it likely that the Sepoys orothers might make trouble, and he said that if we were in your hands ashostages, all our people would see that the agreement must be kept, andwould oppose themselves more vigorously to the Sepoys."

  "It was thoughtful and kind of your father," Bathurst said. "As far asaccommodation is concerned, we can do little to make you comfortable,but in other respects we are not badly provided."

  Some of the native servants were at once told off to erect an awningover a portion of the terrace. Tables and couches were placed here, andBathurst undertook the work of entertaining the visitors.

  He was glad of the precaution that had been taken in sending them, forwith the glass he could make out that there was much disturbance inthe Sepoy lines, men gathering in large groups, with much shouting andnoise. Muskets were discharged in the direction of the house, and it wasevident that the mutineers were very discontented with the decision thathad been arrived at.

  In a short time, however, a body, several hundred strong, of the Oudefighting men moved down and surrounded the house; and when a number ofthe Sepoys approached with excited and menacing gestures, one of theZemindars went out to meet them, and Bathurst, watching the conference,could see by his pointing to the roof of the house that he wasinforming them that hostages had been given to the Europeans for the dueobservance of the treaty, and doubted not he was telling them thattheir lives would be endangered by any movement. Then he pointed to thebatteries, as if threatening that if any attack was made the guns wouldbe turned upon them. At any rate, after a time they moved away, andgradually the Sepoys could be seen returning to their lines.

  There were but few preparations to be made by the garrison for theirjourney. It had been settled that they might take their personal effectswith them, but it was at once agreed to take as little as possible,as there would probably be but little room in the boats, and the fewerthings they carried the less there would be to tempt the cupidity of thenatives.

  "Well, Bathurst, what do you think of the outlook?" the Doctor asked,as late in the evening they sat together on some sandbags in a corner ofthe terrace.

  "I think that if we get past Cawnpore in safety there is not much tofear. There is no other large place on the river, and the lower we getdown the less likely the natives are to disturb us, knowing, as they arealmost sure to do, that a force is gathering at Allahabad."

  "After what you heard of the massacre of the prisoners at Cawnpore, whomthe Nana and his officers had all sworn to allow to depart in safety,there is little hope that this scoundrel will respect the arrangementsmade here."

  "We must pass the place at night, and trust to drifting downunobserved--the river is wide there--and keeping near the oppositeshore, we may get past in the darkness without being perceived; and evenif they do make us out, the chances are they will not hit us. There areso few of us that there is no reason why they should trouble greatlyabout us."

  "I am sorry to say, Bathurst, that I don't like the appearance of theMajor's wound. Everything has been against him; the heat, the close air,and his anxiety of mind have all told on him, he seems very low, and Ihave great doubts whether he will ever see Allahabad."

  "I hope you are wrong, Doctor, but I thought myself there was a changefor the worse when I saw him an hour ago; there was a drawn look abouthis face I did not like. He is a splendid fellow; nothing could havebeen kinder than he has been to me. I wish I could change places withhim."

  The Doctor grunted. "Well, as none of us may see Allahabad, Bathurst,you need not trouble yourself on that score. I wonder what has becomeof your friend the conjurer. I thought he might have been in to see youthis afternoon."

  "I did not expect him," Bathurst said; "I expect he went as far as hedared in what he said at the Durbar today. Probably he is doing all hecan to keep matters quiet. Of course he may have gone down to Cawnporeto see Nana Sahib, but I should think it more probable that he wouldremain here until he knows we are safe on board the boats."

  "Ah, here is Wilson," said the Doctor; "he is a fine young fellow, and Iam very glad he has gone through it safely."


  "So am I," Bathurst said warmly; "here we are, Wilson."

  "I thought I would find you both smoking here," Wilson said, as heseated himself; "it is awfully hot below, and the ladies are all atwork picking out the things they are going to take with them and packingthem, and as I could not be of any use at that, I thought I would comeup for a little fresh air, if one can call it fresh; but, in fact, Iwould rather sit over an open drain, for the stench is horrible. Howquiet everything seems tonight! After crouching here for the last threeweeks listening to the boom of their cannon and the rush of their ballsoverhead, or the crash as they hit something, it seems quite unnatural;one can't help thinking that something is going to happen. I don'tbelieve I shall be able to sleep a wink tonight; while generally, inspite of the row, it has been as much as I could do to keep my eyesopen. I suppose I shall get accustomed to it in time. At present itseems too unnatural to enjoy it."

  "You had better get a good night's sleep, if you can, Wilson," theDoctor said. "There won't be much sleep for us in the boats till we seethe walls of Allahabad."

  "I suppose not, Doctor. I expect we shall be horribly cramped up. I longto be there. I hope to get attached to one of the regiments coming up,so as to help in giving the thrashing to these scoundrels that theydeserve. I would give a year's pay to get that villain, Nana Sahib,within reach of my sword. It is awful to think of the news you broughtin, Bathurst, and that there are hundreds of women and children in hispower now. What a day it will be when we march into Cawnpore!"

  "Don't count your chickens too soon, Wilson," the Doctor said, "The timeI am looking forward to is when we shall have safely passed Cawnpore onour way down; that is quite enough for me to hope for at present."

  "Yes, I was thinking of that myself," Wilson replied. "If the Nanacould not be bound by the oath he had taken himself, he is not likely torespect the agreement made here."

  "We must pass the place at night," Bathurst said, "and trust to notbeing seen. Even if they do make us out, we shan't be under fire longunless they follow us down the bank; but if the night is dark, they maynot make us out at all. Fortunately there is no moon, and boats arenot very large marks even by daylight, and at night it would only be achance shot that would hit us."

  "Yes, we should be as difficult to hit as a tiger," the Doctor put in.

  Wilson laughed.

  "I have gained a lot of experience since then, Doctor. What ages thatseems back! Years almost."

  "It does indeed," the Doctor agreed; "we count time by incidents and notby days. Well, I think I shall turn in.. Are you coming, Bathurst?"

  "No, I could not sleep," Bathurst said; "I shall watch till morning. Ifeel sure it is all safe, but the mutineers might attempt something."

  The night, however, passed off quietly, and soon after daybreak eightbullock carts were seen approaching, with a strong body of Oude men.Half an hour later the luggage was packed, and the sick and wounded laidon straw in the wagons. Several of the ladies took their places withthem, but Mrs. Doolan, Isobel, and Mary Hunter said they would walk fora while. It had been arranged that the men might carry out their armswith them, and each of the ten able to walk took their rifles, whileall, even the women, had pistols about them. Just as they were ready,Por Sing and several of the Zemindars rode up on horseback.

  "We shall see you to the boats," he said. "Have you taken provisions foryour voyage? It would be better not to stop to buy anything on the way."

  This precaution had been taken, and as soon as all was ready they setout, guarded by four hundred Oude matchlock men. The Sepoys had gatherednear the house, and as soon as they left it there was a rush made tosecure the plunder.

  "I should have liked to have emptied the contents of some of my bottlesinto the wine," the Doctor growled; "it would not have been strictlyprofessional, perhaps, but it would have been a good action."

  "I am sure you would not have given them poison, Doctor," Wilsonlaughed; "but a reasonable dose of ipecacuanha might hardly have goneagainst your conscience."

  "My conscience has nothing to do with it," the Doctor said. "Thesefellows came from Cawnpore, and I have no doubt took part in themassacre there. My conscience wouldn't have troubled me if I couldhave poisoned the whole of the scoundrels, or put a slow match inthe magazine and blown them all into the air, but under the presentconditions it would hardly have been politic, as one couldn't be sure ofannihilating the whole of them. Well, Miss Hannay, what are you thinkingof?"

  "I am thinking that my uncle looks worse this morning, Doctor; does itnot strike you so too?"

  "We must hope that the fresh air will do him good. One could not expectanyone to get better in that place; it was enough to kill a healthy man,to say nothing of a sick one."

  Isobel was walking by the side of the cart in which her uncle was lying,and it was not long before she took her place beside him.

  The Doctor shook his head.

  "Can you do nothing, Doctor?" Bathurst said, in a low tone.

  "Nothing; he is weaker this morning, still the change of air may helphim, and he may have strength to fight through; the wound itself is aserious one, but he would under other circumstances have got over it.As it is, I think his chance a very poor one, though I would not say asmuch to her."

  After three hours' travel they reached the river. Here two large nativeboats were lying by the bank. The baggage and sick were soon placedon board, and the Europeans with the native servants were then dividedbetween them, and the Rajah's son and six of the retainers took theirplaces in one of the boats. The Doctor and Captain Doolan had settledhow the party should be divided. The Major and the other sick men wereall placed in one boat, and in this were the Doctor, Bathurst, and fourcivilians, with Isobel Hannay, Mrs. Hunter, and her daughter. CaptainDoolan, his wife, Mrs. Rintoul, and the other three ladies, with the sixchildren who had alone survived, and the rest of the party, were in theother boat.

  Por Sing and his companions were thanked heartily for the protectionthey had given, and Bathurst handed them a document which had beensigned by all the party, testifying to the service they had rendered.

  "If we don't get down to Allahabad," Bathurst said, as he handed it tohim, "this will insure you good treatment when the British troops comeup. If we get there, we will represent your conduct in such a light thatI think I can promise you that the part you took in the siege will beforgiven."

  Then the boats pushed off and started on their way down the stream.

  The distance by water to Cawnpore was over forty miles. It was alreadyeleven o'clock, and slow progress only could be made with the heavyboats, but it was thought that they would be able to pass the townbefore daylight began to break next morning, and they therefore pushedon as rapidly as they could, the boatmen being encouraged to use theirutmost efforts by the promise of a large reward upon their arrival atAllahabad.

  There was but little talk in the boats. Now that the strain was over,all felt its effects severely. The Doctor attended to his patients;Isobel sat by the side of her uncle, giving him some broth that they hadbrought with them, from time to time, or moistening his lips with weakbrandy and water. He spoke only occasionally.

  "I don't much think I shall get down to Allahabad, Isobel," he said. "IfI don't, go down to Calcutta, and go straight to Jamieson and Son; theyare my agents, and they will supply you with money to take you home;they have a copy of my will; my agents in London have another copy. Ihad two made in case of accident."

  "Oh, uncle, you will get better now you are out of that terrible place."

  "I am afraid it is too late, my dear, though I should like to live foryour sake. But I think I see happiness before you, if you choose totake it; he is a noble fellow, Isobel, in spite of that unfortunateweakness."

  Isobel made no answer, but a slight pressure of the hand she was holdingshowed that she understood what he meant. It was no use to tell heruncle that she felt that what might have been was over now. Bathurst hadchatted with her several times the evening before and during the marcht
hat morning, but she felt the difference between his tone and that inwhich he had addressed her in the old times before the troubles began.It was a subtle difference that she could hardly have explained evento herself, but she knew that it was as a friend, and as a friend only,that he would treat her in the future, and that the past was a closedbook, which he was determined not to reopen.

  Bathurst talked to Mrs. Hunter and her daughter, both of whom were mereshadows, worn out with grief, anxiety, and watching. At times he wentforward to talk to the young noble, who had taken his seat there. Bothboats had been arched in with a canopy of boughs to serve alike as aprotection from the sun and to screen those within from the sight ofnatives in boats or on the banks.

  "You don't look yourself, Bathurst," the Doctor said to him late in theafternoon. "Everything seems going on well. No boats have passed us, andthe boatmen all say that we shall pass Cawnpore about one o'clock, atthe rate at which we are going."

  "I feel nervous, Doctor; more anxious than I have been ever since thisbegan. There is an apprehension of danger weighing over me that I can'taccount for. As you say, everything seems going on well, and yet I feelthat it is not so. I am afraid I am getting superstitious, but I feelas if Rujub knows of some danger impending, and that he is somehowconveying that impression to me. I know that there is nothing to bedone, and that we are doing the only thing that we can do, unless wewere to land and try and make our way down on foot, which would be sheermadness. That the man can in some way impress my mind at a distanceis evident from that summons he gave me to meet him at the ruins of mybungalow, but I do not feel the same clear distinct perception ofhis wishes now as I did then. Perhaps he himself is not aware of theparticulars of the danger that threatens, or, knowing them, he can seeno way of escape out of them. It may be that at night, when everythingis quiet, one's mind is more open to such impressions than it is when weare surrounded by other people and have other things to think of, but Ifeel an actual consciousness of danger."

  "I don't think there can be any danger until we get down near Cawnpore.They may possibly be on the lookout for us there, and may even haveboats out on the stream. It is possible that the Sepoys may have sentdown word yesterday afternoon to Nana Sahib that we had surrendered, andshould be starting by boat this morning, but I don't think there canbe any danger till we get there. Should we meet native boats and bestopped, Por Sing's son will be able to induce them to let us pass.Certainly none of the villagers about here would be likely to disobeyhim. Once beyond Cawnpore, I believe that he would have sufficientinfluence, speaking, as he does, in the name, not only of his father,but of other powerful landowners, to induce any of these Oude people tolet us pass. No, I regard Cawnpore as our one danger, and I believe itto be a very real one. I have been thinking, indeed, that it would be agood thing when we get within a couple of miles of the place for all whoare able to walk, to land on the opposite bank, and make their way alongpast Cawnpore, and take to the boats again a mile below the town."

  "That would be an excellent plan, Doctor; but if the boats were stoppedand they found the sick, they would kill them to a certainty. I don'tthink we could leave them. I am quite sure Miss Hannay would not leaveher uncle."

  "I think we might get over even that, Bathurst. There are only the Majorand the other two men, and Mrs. Forsyth and three children, too ill towalk. There are eight of the native servants, ourselves, and the youngRajah's retainers. We ought to have no difficulty in carrying thewounded. As to the luggage, that must be sacrificed, so that the boatmencan go down with empty benches. It must be pitched overboard. The losswould be of no real consequence; everyone could manage with what theyhave on until we get to Allahabad. There would be no difficulty ingetting what we require there."

  "I think the plan is an excellent one, Doctor. I will ask the youngchief if his men will help us to carry the sick. If he says yes, we willgo alongside the other boat and explain our plan to Doolan."

  The young Rajah at once assented, and the boat being rowed up to theother, the plan was explained and approved of. No objection was raisedby anyone, even to the proposal for getting rid of all the luggage;and as soon as the matter was arranged, a general disposition towardscheerfulness was manifested. Everyone had felt that the danger ofpassing Cawnpore would be immense, and this plan for avoiding it seemedto lift a load from their minds.

  It was settled they should land at some spot where the river wasbordered by bushes and young trees; that stout poles should be cut, andblankets fastened between them, so as to form stretchers on which thesick could be carried.

  As far as possible the boats were kept on the left side of the river,but at times shallows rendered it necessary to keep over by the rightbank. Whenever they were near the shore, silence was observed, lest theforeign tongue should be noticed by anyone near the bank.

  Night fell, and they still continued their course. An hour after sunsetthey were rowing near the right bank--the Major had fallen into a sortof doze, and Isobel was sitting next to Bathurst, and they were talkingin low tones together--when suddenly there was a hail from the shore,not fifty yards away.

  "What boats are those?"

  "Fishing boats going down the river," one of the boatmen answered.

  "Row alongside, we must examine you."

  There was a moment's pause, and then the Doctor said in the nativelanguage, "Row on, men," and the oars of both boats again dipped intothe water.

  "We are pressed for time," the young Zemindar shouted, and then,dropping his voice, urged the men to row at the top of their speed.

  "Stop, or we fire," came from the shore.

  No answer was returned from the boats; they were now nearly opposite thespeaker. Then came the word--"Fire." Six cannon loaded with grape weredischarged, and a crackle of musketry at the same moment broke out. Theshot tore through the boats, killing and disabling many, and bringingdown the arbor of boughs upon them.

  A terrible cry arose, and all was confusion. Most of the rowers werekilled, and the boats drifted helplessly amid the storm of riflebullets.

  As the cannon flashed out and the grape swept the boats Bathurst, witha sharp cry, sprang to his feet, and leaped overboard, as did severalothers from both boats. Diving, he kept under water for some distance,and then swam desperately till he reached shallow water on the otherside of the river, and then fell head foremost on the sand. Eight orten others also gained the shore in a body, and were running towards thebank, when the guns were again fired, and all but three were swept awayby the iron hail. A few straggling musket shots were fired, then orderswere shouted, and the splashing of an oar was heard, as one of thenative boatmen rowed one of the two boats toward the shore. Bathurstrose to his feet and ran, stumbling like a drunken man, towards thebushes, and just as he reached them, fell heavily forward, and lay thereinsensible. Three men came out from the jungle and dragged him in. Asthey did so loud screams arose from the other bank, then half a dozenmuskets were fired, and all was quiet.

  It was not for a quarter of an hour that Bathurst was conscious of whatwas going on around him. Someone was rubbing his chest and hands.

  "Who is it?" he asked.

  "Oh, it is you, Bathurst!" he heard Wilson's voice exclaim. "I thoughtit was you, but it is so dark now we are off that white sand that Icould not see. Where are you hit?"

  "I don't know," Bathurst said. "I felt a sort of shock as I got out ofthe water, but I don't know that I am hurt at all."

  "Oh, you must be hit somewhere. Try and move your arms and legs."

  Bathurst moved.

  "No, I don't think I am hit; if I am, it is on the head. I feelsomething warm round the back of my neck."

  "By Jove, yes!" Wilson said; "here is where it is; there is a cut allalong the top of your head; the bullet seems to have hit you at theback, and gone right along over the top. It can't have gone in, or elseyou would not be able to talk."

  "Help me up," Bathurst said, and he was soon on his feet. He felt giddyand confused. "Who have you with you?" he asked.


  "Two natives. I think one is the young chief, and the other is one ofhis followers."

  Bathurst spoke to them in their native language, and found that Wilsonwas not mistaken. As soon as he found that he was understood, the youngchief poured out a volley of curses upon those who had attacked them.

  Bathurst stopped him. "We shall have time for that afterwards, Murad,"he said; "the first thing is to see what had best be done. What hashappened since I landed, Wilson?"

  "Our boat was pretty nearly cut in two," Wilson said, "and was sinkingwhen I jumped over; the other boat has been rowed ashore."

  "What did you hear, Wilson?"

  "I heard the women scream," Wilson said reluctantly, "and five or sixshots were fired. There has been no sound since then."

  Bathurst stood silent for a minute.

  "I do not think they will have killed the women," he said; "they did notdo so at Cawnpore. They will take them there. No doubt they killed themen. Let me think for a moment. Now," he said after a long pause, "wemust be doing. Murad, your father and friends have given their word forthe safety of those you took prisoners; that they have been massacredis no fault of your father or of you. This gentleman and myself are theonly ones saved, as far as we know. Are you sure that none others cameashore?"

  "The others were all killed, we alone remaining," Murad said. "I will goback to my father, and he will go to Cawnpore and demand vengeance."

  "You can do that afterwards, Murad; the first thing is to fulfillyour promise, and I charge you to take this sahib in safety down toAllahabad. You must push on at once, for they may be sending out fromCawnpore at daylight to search the bushes here to see if any haveescaped. You must go on with him tonight as far as you can, and in themorning enter some village, buy native clothes, and disguise him, andthen journey on to Allahabad."

  "I will do that," the young Rajah said; "but what about yourself?"

  "I shall go into Cawnpore and try to rescue any they may have taken.I have a native cloth round me under my other clothes, as I thought itmight be necessary for me to land before we got to Cawnpore to see ifdanger threatened us. So I have everything I want for a disguise aboutme."

  "What are you saying, Bathurst?" Wilson asked.

  "I am arranging for Murad and his follower to take you down toAllahabad, Wilson. I shall stop at Cawnpore."

  "Stop at Cawnpore! Are you mad, Bathurst?"

  "No, I am not mad. I shall stop to see if any of the ladies have beentaken prisoners, and if so, try to rescue them. Rujub, the juggler, isthere, and I am confident he will help me."

  "But if you can stay, I can, Bathurst. If Miss Hannay has been madeprisoner, I would willingly be killed to rescue her."

  "I know you would, Wilson, but you would be killed without being able torescue her; and as I should share your fate, you would render her rescueimpossible. I can speak the native language perfectly, and know nativeways. I can move about among them without fear of exciting theirsuspicion. If you were with me this would be impossible; the first timeyou were addressed by a native you would be detected; your presencewould add to my difficulties a hundredfold. It is not now a question offighting. Were it only that, I should be delighted to have you with me.As it is, the thing is impossible. If anything is done, I must do italone. If I ever reach Miss Hannay, she shall know that you were readyto run all risks to save her. No, no, you must go on to Allahabad, andif you cannot save her now, you will be with the force that will saveher, if I should fail to do so, and which will avenge us both if itshould arrive too late to rescue her. Now I must get you to bandage myhead, for I feel faint with loss of blood. I will take off my shirt andtear it in strips. I have got a native disguise next to the skin. We mayas well leave my clothes behind me here."

  As soon as Wilson, with the assistance of Murad, had bandaged the wound,the party struck off from the river, and after four hours' walking camedown upon it again two miles below Cawnpore. Here Bathurst said he wouldstop, stain his skin, and complete his disguise.

  "I hate leaving you," Wilson said, in a broken voice. "There are onlyyou and I left of all our party at Deennugghur. It is awful to thinkthey have all gone--the good old chief, the Doctor, and Richards, andthe ladies. There are only we two left. It does seem such a dirty,cowardly thing for me to be making off and leaving you here alone."

  "It is not cowardly, Wilson, for I know you would willingly stay if youcould be of the slightest use; but, as, on the contrary, you would onlyadd to the danger, it must be as I have arranged. Goodby, lad; don'tstay; it has to be done. God bless you! Goodby, Murad. Tell your fatherwhen you see him that I know no shadow of broken faith rests on him."

  So saying, he turned and went into a clump of bushes, while Wilson,too overpowered to speak, started on his way down country with the twonatives.